Ocean and Coastal Protection=
- NOTOC**
Coastal Resilience, Sea-Level Rise, and Ocean Protection
Rising Seas and Coastal Flooding
Sea-level rise is making coastal flooding more frequent and more dangerous. Extreme storm surges, high-tide flooding, erosion, and rising groundwater are increasingly threatening homes, roads, wetlands, beaches, ports, and public infrastructure. New research shows that floods once considered rare are becoming more common as global sea levels rise.
Coastal communities now depend on better flood maps, tide gauges, storm-surge models, sea-level viewers, and exposure mapping tools to understand risk. Agencies such as NOAA, USGS, FEMA, NASA, and Climate Central provide data that helps planners evaluate future flooding, infrastructure vulnerability, erosion hazards, and long-term adaptation needs.
Marine Protected Areas and Ocean Conservation
Marine protected areas are an important tool for conserving ocean biodiversity, coral reefs, fisheries, seabirds, marine mammals, cultural resources, and coastal habitats. The world has passed the milestone of protecting more than 10 percent of the ocean, but conservation experts emphasize that area alone is not enough. Protected areas must be well managed, financed, enforced, and measured by ecological outcomes.
Examples such as national marine sanctuaries, Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument, Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary, Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary, Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary, and other protected areas show how marine conservation can support research, education, habitat protection, sustainable use, and cultural stewardship.
Coral Reefs Under Climate Stress
Coral reefs face severe threats from warming seas, bleaching, pollution, overfishing, coastal development, and ocean acidification. Scientists are mapping reefs that may be more resilient to climate stress so conservation groups can prioritize protection and restoration. Long-term monitoring programs, coral surveys, and satellite-based bleaching alerts help managers respond to heat stress and track reef health.
Coral restoration methods include coral gardening, outplanting, spawning-based restoration, and strategies designed to increase genetic diversity. Marine protected areas can improve reef resilience by reducing local pressures, but extreme ocean heat can still overwhelm even well-protected ecosystems.
Wetlands, Living Shorelines, and Nature-Based Defenses
Coastal wetlands, mangroves, seagrasses, oyster reefs, coral reefs, dunes, kelp forests, and living shorelines provide natural protection against flooding, erosion, storm surge, and wave energy. These ecosystems also filter water, store blue carbon, provide nursery habitat for fish, and support wildlife.
Restoration strategies include reconnecting wetlands to tides, rebuilding marshes with sediment, restoring oyster and shellfish reefs, planting seagrass, removing hardened shorelines, and using hybrid designs that combine natural features with engineered structures. NOAA-supported projects in places such as the Indian River Lagoon, Great Lakes shorelines, Scott Creek Beach, Blount Island, and other coastal areas show how habitat restoration can reduce risk while improving ecological health.
Monitoring, Data, and Coastal Planning Tools
Ocean and coastal monitoring systems are essential for forecasting storms, tracking sea-level trends, managing fisheries, detecting coral bleaching, monitoring harmful algal blooms, and protecting public safety. Tools such as NOAA’s Sea Level Rise Viewer, Coastal Flood Exposure Mapper, Coastal Inundation Dashboard, Coral Reef Watch, Digital Coast, and USGS Coastal Change Hazards Portal help communities make science-based decisions.
Long-term observation networks, tide gauges, satellite data, coastal hydrology studies, and habitat classification systems provide the information needed to plan for sea-level rise, storm surge, erosion, flood exposure, ecosystem change, and infrastructure risk.
Restoration, Fisheries, and Community Benefits
Healthy coastal habitats support sustainable fisheries, marine mammals, sea turtles, birds, shellfish, and recreational opportunities. Habitat restoration can improve water quality, rebuild fish nurseries, protect shorelines, and provide economic benefits for local communities. Community-based restoration programs also help reconnect people with coastal ecosystems through fishing access, trails, education, and local stewardship.
Sustainable fisheries management, essential fish habitat protections, bycatch reduction, ecosystem-based fisheries management, and marine debris prevention are part of broader ocean resilience efforts. Protecting the ocean requires linking climate adaptation, habitat conservation, pollution control, and community planning.
Conclusion
Coastal resilience depends on combining strong science, effective conservation, local planning, and ecosystem restoration. Sea-level rise and climate change are increasing coastal risks, but communities have practical tools available: better flood mapping, nature-based defenses, marine protected areas, coral restoration, wetland recovery, living shorelines, and long-term monitoring. Protecting coasts and oceans requires not only setting conservation goals, but also funding, enforcement, data, and sustained management that produce real ecological and community benefits.
- TOC**
Extreme Coastal Flooding Is Becoming More Common
| Tulane University | Phys.org | June 10, 2026
New research finds that sea-level rise has made extreme coastal flooding far more frequent, giving planners stronger evidence for flood maps, infrastructure upgrades, and storm-surge preparation.
Coastal Floods Are Linked to Climate Change and Sea-Level Rise
| Seth Borenstein | Associated Press | June 10, 2026
This article explains how rising seas are turning once-rare coastal floods into more common events, making coastal planning and flood protection more urgent.
World Oceans Day: Marine Protected Areas Surpass 10 Percent
| Mongabay | Mongabay | June 8, 2026
The world has passed an important milestone by protecting more than 10 percent of the ocean, but much more work is needed to reach the 30 percent protection goal by 2030.
Our Ocean Conference Should Build on Recent Conservation Gains
| Matt Rand | Pew Charitable Trusts | June 10, 2026
Pew argues that ocean protection commitments must be backed by financing, enforcement, and implementation so marine protected areas actually protect ecosystems.
Global Map Reveals Coral Reefs That May Resist Climate Stress
| Wildlife Conservation Society | Phys.org | June 16, 2026
Scientists mapped coral reefs with higher climate resilience, helping conservation groups prioritize reefs that could survive warming and help restore damaged areas.
Ocean Monitoring Is in Trouble
| University of Reading | Phys.org | June 13, 2026
Ocean observation systems support fisheries, storm forecasting, coral monitoring, and climate science, but the article warns that global monitoring networks need stronger support.
The World Agreed to Protect 30 Percent of the Ocean
| Inside Ecology | Inside Ecology | June 16, 2026
This article explains why marine protection should be judged by ecological quality, enforcement, and biodiversity outcomes, not only by the total area protected.
Six Marine Protected Areas Recognised as Blue Parks
| Ocean Economist | Ocean Economist | June 2026
Marine protected areas in Madagascar, Senegal, Chile, and Canada were recognized for strong conservation management, showing how protected areas can be judged by effectiveness.
Protecting Kenya’s Kisite Mpunguti Marine Protected Area
| Marine Conservation Institute | Marine Conservation Institute | June 24, 2026
Kisite Mpunguti Marine Protected Area shows how long-term protection, local engagement, and strong management can help sustain biodiverse coastal waters.
Coastal Protection Services from Natural and Artificial Reefs
| M. H. Mirajul Hossain et al. | Frontiers in Marine Science | 2026
This review explains how coral reefs, oyster reefs, and artificial reefs can reduce erosion, weaken waves, and support biodiversity when used as nature-based coastal defenses.
Exposure of Coastal Protected Areas to Storm Surge and Sea-Level Rise
| B. Moghaddame-Jafari et al. | Journal of Coastal Conservation | 2026
This study examines how protected coastal lands in the U.S. Mid-Atlantic may face greater storm-surge exposure as sea level rises.
Tidal Reinstatement of Coastal Wetlands
| M. M. Palacios et al. | Restoration Ecology | 2026
A global review of tidal wetland restoration shows how reconnecting wetlands to tides can restore salt marshes, improve habitat, and strengthen coastal resilience.
Coastal Wetland Protection and Restoration
| J. Liu et al. | Frontiers in Environmental Science | 2026
This editorial highlights coastal wetland restoration as a key strategy for protecting shorelines, rebuilding habitats, and adapting to climate pressure.
European Storm Surge Projections for Coastal Risk Planning
| M. I. Apecechea et al. | Natural Hazards and Earth System Sciences | 2026
Researchers model future extreme storm surges in Europe, helping coastal managers prepare for changing flood risks.
NOAA Releases National Coral Reef Resilience Strategy
| NOAA | NOAA National Ocean Service | May 1, 2026
NOAA’s coral reef strategy lays out long-term goals for protecting, restoring, and monitoring U.S. coral reefs through 2040.
NOAA Researchers Bring the 2026 Pacific Coral Survey to the Public
| NOAA Fisheries | NOAA Fisheries | April 20, 2026
NOAA researchers are surveying coral reefs in American Samoa and the Pacific Islands Heritage Marine National Monument to track reef health and long-term change.
The Future of Coral Reefs
| The Nature Conservancy | Nature Conservancy Magazine | May 8, 2026
Scientists are identifying resilient reefs that may survive warming seas and serve as sources for future coral recovery.
Two Decades of Research on Indonesia’s Coral Reefs
| Lancaster University | Phys.org | June 8, 2026
Long-term research in Indonesia shows that marine protected areas help reefs, but extreme heat can still overwhelm even protected ecosystems.
Researchers Seek Worldwide Solutions to Conserve Coral Reefs
| University of Leeds | Phys.org | January 22, 2026
Researchers call for stronger regional cooperation, marine protected areas, and local threat reduction to help coral reefs survive climate stress.
Will 2026 Be the Year Coral Reefs Pass a Tipping Point
| University of Exeter | Phys.org | January 5, 2026
This article explains how pollution, overfishing, coastal development, and heat combine to threaten coral reefs, while local protection can still improve recovery.
Restoring Coral Reefs
| NOAA Fisheries | NOAA Fisheries | Accessed June 30, 2026
NOAA explains coral restoration methods, including coral gardening, outplanting, and spawning-based techniques that increase genetic diversity.
National Coral Reef Monitoring Program
| NOAA Coral Reef Information System | NOAA | Accessed June 30, 2026
NOAA’s monitoring program tracks coral reef condition, fish populations, benthic cover, and climate stress across U.S. coral reef regions.
NOAA Coral Reef Watch
| NOAA | NOAA Coral Reef Watch | Accessed June 30, 2026
Coral Reef Watch uses satellites and models to alert managers when ocean heat threatens coral bleaching.
Coral Reef Information System
| NOAA | NOAA Coral Reef Information System | Accessed June 30, 2026
NOAA’s coral information portal provides data, publications, maps, and monitoring tools for reef science and conservation.
Coastal Wetland Habitat
| NOAA Fisheries | NOAA Fisheries | January 9, 2026
NOAA explains how coastal wetlands filter water, shelter fish and wildlife, and protect communities from flooding.
Identifying Gaps in Coastal Marsh Models
| NOAA NCCOS | NOAA Coastal Science | May 5, 2026
Scientists are evaluating whether marsh models provide the information local managers need to plan wetland migration, restoration, and sea-level adaptation.
NOAA and Partners Tackle Coastal Resilience at Scott Creek Beach
| NOAA NCCOS | NOAA Coastal Science | April 29, 2026
A California workshop brought scientists and partners together to plan coastal resilience work involving sea-level rise, beach change, and nature-based solutions.
Evaluating Living Shoreline Performance
| NOAA NCCOS | NOAA Coastal Science | March 12, 2026
NOAA scientists are studying living shorelines to understand where natural materials, marsh plants, oysters, and hybrid designs best reduce erosion and storm impacts.
Restoring Habitat for Great Lakes Fish
| NOAA Fisheries | NOAA Fisheries | May 6, 2026
A hardened shoreline at the Ford House is being replaced with nature-based habitat that reduces flooding and supports fish, reptiles, amphibians, and birds.
Restoring the Indian River Lagoon’s Seagrass Meadows and Wetlands
| NOAA Fisheries | NOAA Fisheries | March 5, 2026
NOAA-supported projects are rebuilding seagrass and wetlands in Florida’s Indian River Lagoon to improve fisheries, water quality, and coastal habitat.
Restoration Innovation on the Indian River Lagoon
| NOAA Fisheries | NOAA Fisheries | March 4, 2026
Scientists are using shellfish, coquina reefs, seagrass, wetlands, and restoration technology to help the Indian River Lagoon recover from decades of decline.
Investing in Indian River Lagoon Restoration Pays Dividends
| NOAA Fisheries | NOAA Fisheries | February 27, 2026
NOAA reports that lagoon restoration can improve ecological health while also producing economic benefits for local communities and businesses.
A System-Wide Effort to Restore Florida’s Indian River Lagoon
| NOAA Fisheries | NOAA Fisheries | February 26, 2026
A $9.4 million NOAA-supported effort is restoring seagrass, wetlands, shellfish, and shorelines across the 156-mile Indian River Lagoon.
Habitat Restoration Helps Put Anglers Back on the Pier
| NOAA Fisheries | NOAA Fisheries | February 3, 2026
NOAA restoration projects repair damaged waterfront habitats while restoring public access for fishing, hiking, and outdoor recreation.
Community-Based Habitat Restoration
| NOAA Fisheries | NOAA Fisheries | Accessed June 30, 2026
NOAA’s community restoration program supports projects that restore wetlands, oyster reefs, coral reefs, rivers, and other fish habitats.
Habitat Conservation
| NOAA Fisheries | NOAA Fisheries | Accessed June 30, 2026
NOAA explains why healthy wetlands, rivers, seagrass beds, coral reefs, and shorelines are essential for fish populations and coastal communities.
Coastal Change
| U.S. Geological Survey | USGS | Accessed June 30, 2026
USGS studies how storms, waves, currents, erosion, and sea-level rise alter shorelines and threaten communities, infrastructure, and habitats.
Coasts, Storms, and Sea-Level Rise
| U.S. Geological Survey | USGS | Accessed June 30, 2026
USGS explains how sea-level rise, high-tide flooding, erosion, and stronger storms create risks for U.S. coasts.
USGS Coastal Change Products Help EPA Safeguard Long Island Sound
| U.S. Geological Survey | USGS | June 3, 2026
USGS coastal hazard data are helping the EPA and local partners protect Long Island Sound shorelines from erosion, sea-level rise, and storm impacts.
Hurricane Season Arrives
| U.S. Geological Survey | USGS | 2026
USGS highlights coastal hazard tools that help communities understand storm-driven erosion, shoreline change, and sea-level rise before hurricane impacts.
Coastal Hydrology and Storm Surge
| U.S. Geological Survey | USGS | Accessed June 30, 2026
USGS tracks storm surge, flooding, drainage changes, and coastal hydrology to support emergency response and coastal planning.
Coastal Change Hazards Portal
| U.S. Geological Survey | USGS | Accessed June 30, 2026
The portal provides maps and data on storm impacts, shoreline change, sea-level rise, and coastal erosion risk.
New Flood Hazard Products for Northern California
| U.S. Geological Survey | USGS | Accessed June 30, 2026
USGS flood products help coastal communities plan for rising groundwater, flooding, erosion, and sea-level rise using detailed coastal modeling.
NOAA Sea Level Rise Viewer
| NOAA Digital Coast | NOAA | Accessed June 30, 2026
This mapping tool helps communities visualize sea-level rise and coastal flooding impacts at local scales.
NOAA Sea Level Trends
| NOAA Tides and Currents | NOAA | Accessed June 30, 2026
NOAA tide gauge data show long-term sea-level trends that help communities plan for flooding, erosion, and infrastructure risk.
NOAA Coastal Inundation Dashboard
| NOAA Tides and Currents | NOAA | Accessed June 30, 2026
The dashboard provides water-level and coastal flooding information that supports flood response, planning, and public awareness.
NOAA Coastal Flood Exposure Mapper
| NOAA Digital Coast | NOAA | Accessed June 30, 2026
This tool helps communities identify people, infrastructure, and natural resources exposed to coastal flooding.
NOAA Nature-Based Solutions
| NOAA Office for Coastal Management | NOAA | Accessed June 30, 2026
NOAA explains how dunes, wetlands, oyster reefs, mangroves, and other natural systems reduce flooding, erosion, and runoff.
Climate Resilience Regional Challenge Resources
| NOAA Office for Coastal Management | NOAA | June 2026
NOAA provides coastal resilience tools and technical resources for sea-level rise, climate adaptation, and community planning.
Sargassum: From Sea to Shore
| NOAA National Ocean Service | NOAA | June 12, 2026
NOAA explains how tracking and forecasting Sargassum can help coastal communities manage beach impacts, public health concerns, and local economic disruption.
El Niño and High Tide Flooding
| NOAA National Ocean Service | NOAA | May 15, 2026
NOAA explains how El Niño can increase high-tide flooding risks in some coastal locations, making water-level monitoring important for local planning.
NOAA Ship Thomas Jefferson Returns to the Great Lakes
| NOAA National Ocean Service | NOAA | May 6, 2026
NOAA hydrographic surveys in the Great Lakes improve navigation safety and update coastal mapping for areas that had not been fully surveyed for decades.
Lake Erie Harmful Algal Bloom Forecast
| NOAA National Ocean Service | NOAA | June 25, 2026
NOAA’s Lake Erie forecast helps communities, water managers, and public health agencies prepare for harmful algal bloom risks.
Gulf Dead Zone Forecast
| NOAA National Ocean Service | NOAA | June 16, 2026
NOAA forecasts low-oxygen conditions in the Gulf that affect fisheries, marine life, and coastal water quality.
Expanding Harmful Algal Bloom Monitoring
| NOAA National Ocean Service | NOAA | June 1, 2026
NOAA is expanding harmful algal bloom monitoring to help communities detect and respond to toxic bloom events.
Safeguarding Coasts from Pollution
| NOAA National Ocean Service | NOAA | February 9, 2026
NOAA reviews coastal pollution response and restoration work, showing how science supports cleaner and safer coastal waters.
NOAA Upgrades Baltimore Water Level Station
| NOAA National Ocean Service | NOAA | January 21, 2026
Upgraded water-level stations improve monitoring for navigation, coastal flooding, storm surge, and sea-level change.
Colossal Coral in the Mariana Islands
| NOAA National Ocean Service | NOAA | March 17, 2026
NOAA reports on a massive coral discovery that highlights the ecological value of remote Pacific reef habitats.
Blue Carbon Potential of Living Shorelines
| NOAA NCCOS | NOAA Coastal Science | December 16, 2015
NOAA research shows living shorelines can reduce erosion while storing carbon and improving coastal habitat.
Living Shorelines Help Protect Coastal Communities
| NOAA Office of Response and Restoration | NOAA | February 2, 2021
Living shorelines use marshes, wetlands, and other natural features to reduce hurricane impacts and support resilient coastal communities.
Living Shorelines Are a Sound Investment
| NOAA Office of Response and Restoration | NOAA | April 1, 2021
This NOAA article explains how living shorelines can protect property, support habitat, and provide long-term resilience benefits.
Restoration for the Rising Tide
| NOAA Office of Response and Restoration | NOAA | April 9, 2021
NOAA describes how restoration can help coastal ecosystems adapt to rising seas and protect communities from worsening flood risk.
Building Back Better with Nature-Based Solutions
| NOAA Office of Response and Restoration | NOAA | April 6, 2021
Nature-based restoration can be integrated into disaster recovery to reduce future risk and rebuild damaged coastal ecosystems.
Ambitious Living Shoreline Project Combats Coastal Land Loss
| NOAA Fisheries | NOAA Fisheries | July 1, 2024
NOAA supports a South Carolina living shoreline project designed to reduce land loss, protect property, and create habitat.
NOAA Recommends Nearly 220 Million for Habitat Restoration
| NOAA Fisheries | NOAA Fisheries | July 18, 2024
NOAA recommended major funding for habitat restoration and coastal resilience projects across the United States.
Coastal Defense at Blount Island
| NOAA NCCOS | NOAA Coastal Science | April 22, 2025
Scientists are evaluating wetland restoration and sediment placement to protect critical coastal infrastructure from rising hazards.
Sediment Management Guide Supports Coastal Resilience
| NOAA NCCOS | NOAA Coastal Science | March 7, 2024
NOAA explains how better sediment permitting can support dune, wetland, and shoreline restoration projects.
Thin Layer Sediment Placement Boosts Marsh Growth
| NOAA NCCOS | NOAA Coastal Science | March 30, 2022
A NOAA study finds that adding thin layers of sediment to marshes can help vegetation grow and build elevation against sea-level rise.
Researchers Document Elevation Trends in North Carolina Wetlands
| NOAA NCCOS | NOAA Coastal Science | July 6, 2023
Wetland elevation monitoring helps scientists predict which marshes may survive sea-level rise and where restoration should be prioritized.
Researchers Study Dredged Material in Wetlands
| NOAA NCCOS | NOAA Coastal Science | July 19, 2023
Researchers are studying how dredged sediment can rebuild eroding Chesapeake Bay marsh islands and restore coastal habitat.
Nature’s Role in Coastal Resilience
| NOAA NCCOS | NOAA Coastal Science | Accessed June 30, 2026
NOAA-supported research helps managers decide where coastal habitat restoration can provide the greatest protection benefits.
Predicting Sea-Level Rise Impacts in the Northern Gulf
| NOAA NCCOS | NOAA Coastal Science | Accessed June 30, 2026
NOAA research provides predictive tools for understanding how sea-level rise may affect Gulf Coast habitats and coastal management decisions.
Surface Transportation, Sea-Level Rise, and Coastal Storms
| NOAA NCCOS | NOAA Coastal Science | Accessed June 30, 2026
This project studies how rising seas and coastal storms threaten roads, bridges, and transportation systems.
Gulf of Mexico Sea-Level Rise Tools for Coastal Managers
| NOAA NCCOS | NOAA Coastal Science | February 15, 2017
NOAA tools help Gulf Coast managers assess sea-level rise impacts on coastal habitats and adaptation planning.
New Publication Highlights the Role of Islands in Coastal Resilience
| NOAA NCCOS | NOAA Coastal Science | August 8, 2022
Coastal islands can reduce storm surge and erosion while creating habitat, but restoration design must be guided by science.
Investigating the Impacts of Bulkheads on Salt Marshes
| NOAA NCCOS | NOAA Coastal Science | July 28, 2025
NOAA-supported research studies how shoreline hardening affects marsh migration, resilience, and long-term habitat survival.
Sea Level Rise and Coastal Flooding Impacts
| NOAA Digital Coast | NOAA | Accessed June 30, 2026
NOAA’s sea-level viewer helps residents, planners, and officials see how future flooding could affect neighborhoods and infrastructure.
U.S. Coastline to See Up to a Foot of Sea-Level Rise by 2050
| NOAA | NOAA | February 15, 2022
NOAA reports that U.S. coastlines are expected to see major sea-level rise by 2050, increasing flood and storm-surge risks.
NOAA and USGS Warn Climate Impacts Threaten U.S. Coasts
| NOAA and USGS | NOAA | January 28, 2013
Federal scientists explain how sea-level rise, erosion, storms, and coastal flooding threaten public health, safety, and the economy.
Online Atlas Documents Coastal Land Cover Changes
| NOAA National Ocean Service | NOAA | September 2014
NOAA’s land cover atlas shows how development, wetlands loss, erosion, storms, and sea-level rise have changed U.S. coastal regions.
Habitat Conservation in Puerto Rico
| NOAA National Ocean Service | NOAA | February 2016
NOAA’s reef-to-ridge approach in Puerto Rico connects upland erosion control with coral reef and coastal habitat protection.
Marine Protected Areas Inventory
| NOAA Marine Protected Areas Center | NOAA | Accessed June 30, 2026
NOAA’s MPA inventory tracks protected ocean and coastal areas, supporting conservation planning and public transparency.
Marine Protected Areas in the United States
| NOAA Marine Protected Areas Center | NOAA | Accessed June 30, 2026
NOAA explains how marine protected areas conserve habitats, cultural resources, fisheries, and biodiversity.
National Marine Sanctuary System
| NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries | NOAA | Accessed June 30, 2026
The sanctuary system protects important U.S. ocean and Great Lakes ecosystems while supporting research, education, and sustainable use.
Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument
| NOAA and Partners | Papahānaumokuākea Marine National Monument | Accessed June 30, 2026
One of the world’s largest protected marine areas safeguards coral reefs, seabirds, marine mammals, cultural heritage, and deep-sea ecosystems.
Pacific Islands Heritage Marine National Monument
| NOAA Fisheries | NOAA Fisheries | Accessed June 30, 2026
This remote Pacific protected area preserves coral reefs, seamounts, deep-sea habitats, and important marine wildlife.
Florida Keys National Marine Sanctuary
| NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries | NOAA | Accessed June 30, 2026
The sanctuary protects coral reefs, seagrass beds, mangroves, shipwrecks, fisheries, and other marine resources in the Florida Keys.
Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary
| NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries | NOAA | Accessed June 30, 2026
The sanctuary protects kelp forests, deep-sea habitats, whales, seabirds, and rich marine biodiversity off southern California.
Monterey Bay National Marine Sanctuary
| NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries | NOAA | Accessed June 30, 2026
Monterey Bay sanctuary protects kelp forests, submarine canyons, marine mammals, seabirds, and productive coastal ecosystems.
Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary
| NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries | NOAA | Accessed June 30, 2026
This sanctuary protects upwelling-driven ecosystems, seabird colonies, whales, white sharks, and California coastal habitats.
Olympic Coast National Marine Sanctuary
| NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries | NOAA | Accessed June 30, 2026
Olympic Coast sanctuary protects cold-water ecosystems, kelp forests, seabirds, marine mammals, and tribal treaty resources.
Gray’s Reef National Marine Sanctuary
| NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries | NOAA | Accessed June 30, 2026
Gray’s Reef protects live-bottom habitat off Georgia that supports fish, invertebrates, sea turtles, and scientific research.
Stellwagen Bank National Marine Sanctuary
| NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries | NOAA | Accessed June 30, 2026
Stellwagen Bank protects feeding habitat for whales, seabirds, fish, and other marine life in the Gulf of Maine.
Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary
| NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries | NOAA | Accessed June 30, 2026
Cordell Bank protects a productive offshore ecosystem that supports seabirds, whales, fish, and deep reef communities.
Flower Garden Banks National Marine Sanctuary
| NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries | NOAA | Accessed June 30, 2026
This Gulf sanctuary protects some of the healthiest coral reefs in U.S. waters, along with banks, sponges, fish, and manta rays.
Chumash Heritage National Marine Sanctuary
| NOAA Office of National Marine Sanctuaries | NOAA | Accessed June 30, 2026
This sanctuary protects central California marine ecosystems and recognizes the cultural and ecological importance of Chumash coastal waters.
Marine Debris Program
| NOAA Marine Debris Program | NOAA | Accessed June 30, 2026
NOAA’s Marine Debris Program works on prevention, removal, research, and monitoring to reduce trash and plastics in ocean and coastal environments.
Ocean Acidification Program
| NOAA | NOAA Ocean Acidification Program | Accessed June 30, 2026
NOAA studies ocean acidification and its impacts on shellfish, coral reefs, fisheries, and coastal economies.
Integrated Ocean Observing System
| NOAA | U.S. IOOS | Accessed June 30, 2026
U.S. IOOS coordinates ocean observations that support weather forecasting, marine safety, fisheries management, and coastal resilience.
National Water Level Observation Network
| NOAA Tides and Currents | NOAA | Accessed June 30, 2026
NOAA’s tide gauge network measures water levels used for navigation, flood warnings, sea-level trends, and coastal engineering.
Physical Oceanographic Real-Time System
| NOAA Tides and Currents | NOAA | Accessed June 30, 2026
PORTS provides real-time water levels, currents, winds, and visibility data that improve harbor safety and coastal decision-making.
Coastal and Marine Ecological Classification Standard
| NOAA Digital Coast | NOAA | Accessed June 30, 2026
CMECS helps scientists and managers classify coastal and marine habitats consistently for restoration, mapping, and conservation.
Digital Coast
| NOAA Office for Coastal Management | NOAA | Accessed June 30, 2026
NOAA Digital Coast provides coastal data, mapping tools, training, and case studies for sea-level rise, flood risk, and resilience planning.
Coastal County Snapshots
| NOAA Digital Coast | NOAA | Accessed June 30, 2026
This tool helps counties understand coastal exposure, wetlands, economy, flood risk, and resilience indicators.
Sea-Level Rise Technical Report Resources
| NOAA National Ocean Service | NOAA | Accessed June 30, 2026
NOAA provides sea-level rise science and technical guidance to help coastal communities plan for future flooding.
NOAA Coastal Resilience Grants
| NOAA Office for Coastal Management | NOAA | Accessed June 30, 2026
NOAA coastal resilience grants support local projects that reduce flood risk, protect habitats, and strengthen coastal communities.
Fisheries Climate Change
| NOAA Fisheries | NOAA Fisheries | Accessed June 30, 2026
NOAA explains how climate change affects marine life, fisheries, habitats, and coastal communities.
Essential Fish Habitat
| NOAA Fisheries | NOAA Fisheries | Accessed June 30, 2026
Essential fish habitat protections help conserve spawning, nursery, feeding, and shelter areas needed for sustainable fisheries.
Ecosystem-Based Fisheries Management
| NOAA Fisheries | NOAA Fisheries | Accessed June 30, 2026
NOAA’s ecosystem-based approach considers habitats, food webs, climate, and human activity in fisheries decisions.
Fish Stock Assessments
| NOAA Fisheries | NOAA Fisheries | Accessed June 30, 2026
Fish stock assessments provide the science needed to prevent overfishing and manage fisheries sustainably.
Status of U.S. Fisheries
| NOAA Fisheries | NOAA Fisheries | Accessed June 30, 2026
NOAA’s fisheries status reports help track overfishing, rebuilding progress, and sustainable management outcomes.
National Bycatch Reduction Strategy
| NOAA Fisheries | NOAA Fisheries | Accessed June 30, 2026
Bycatch reduction protects marine mammals, sea turtles, seabirds, and non-target fish while supporting sustainable fisheries.
Marine Mammal Protection
| NOAA Fisheries | NOAA Fisheries | Accessed June 30, 2026
NOAA protects whales, dolphins, seals, and sea lions through science, regulation, rescue, and habitat conservation.
Sea Turtle Conservation
| NOAA Fisheries | NOAA Fisheries | Accessed June 30, 2026
NOAA works to recover sea turtles by reducing bycatch, protecting nesting and marine habitat, and responding to strandings.
Kelp Forest Ecosystems
| NOAA Education | NOAA | Accessed June 30, 2026
Kelp forests provide habitat, buffer waves, support fisheries, and store carbon, making them important coastal ecosystems.
Mangroves as Coastal Protection
| NOAA National Ocean Service | NOAA | Accessed June 30, 2026
Mangroves stabilize shorelines, reduce storm impacts, shelter fish, and store carbon in tropical coastal regions.
What Is a Living Shoreline
| NOAA National Ocean Service | NOAA | Accessed June 30, 2026
NOAA explains how living shorelines use plants, sand, rock, oyster reefs, and natural materials to reduce erosion and support habitat.
What Is Storm Surge
| NOAA National Ocean Service | NOAA | Accessed June 30, 2026
NOAA explains storm surge and storm tide, helping communities understand one of the most dangerous coastal hazards.
What Is High Tide Flooding
| NOAA National Ocean Service | NOAA | Accessed June 30, 2026
High tide flooding occurs when tides reach levels that flood streets, storm drains, and low-lying coastal areas even without storms.
What Is Coastal Erosion
| NOAA National Ocean Service | NOAA | Accessed June 30, 2026
NOAA explains how waves, storms, currents, sea-level rise, and human activity reshape shorelines over time.
What Is Blue Carbon
| NOAA National Ocean Service | NOAA | Accessed June 30, 2026
Blue carbon ecosystems such as mangroves, seagrasses, and salt marshes store carbon while supporting habitat and coastal protection.
Why Are Estuaries Important
| NOAA National Ocean Service | NOAA | Accessed June 30, 2026
Estuaries support fisheries, filter pollution, buffer storms, and provide nursery habitat for many marine species.
National Estuarine Research Reserve System
| NOAA Office for Coastal Management | NOAA | Accessed June 30, 2026
The reserve system supports long-term research, monitoring, education, and stewardship in protected estuarine ecosystems.
Coastal Zone Management Program
| NOAA Office for Coastal Management | NOAA | Accessed June 30, 2026
NOAA’s coastal zone program helps states and territories manage development, habitat protection, public access, and coastal hazards.
Coastal Barrier Resources System
| U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service | USFWS | Accessed June 30, 2026
This program discourages risky development on coastal barriers while helping preserve beaches, dunes, wetlands, and wildlife habitat.
National Wetlands Inventory
| U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service | USFWS | Accessed June 30, 2026
Wetland maps support coastal planning, habitat conservation, flood mitigation, and restoration decisions.
Coastal Program
| U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service | USFWS | Accessed June 30, 2026
The Coastal Program works with local partners to restore coastal habitats, protect wildlife, and strengthen ecosystem resilience.
EPA Climate Adaptation and Coastal Wetlands
| U.S. Environmental Protection Agency | EPA | Accessed June 30, 2026
EPA’s adaptation resources help communities evaluate climate risks, including flooding, sea-level rise, and wetland loss.
FEMA Coastal Flood Risk Resources
| Federal Emergency Management Agency | FEMA | Accessed June 30, 2026
FEMA coastal flood tools help communities map flood hazards, update building standards, and plan for storm-surge risk.
Climate Central Coastal Risk Screening Tool
| Climate Central | Climate Central | Accessed June 30, 2026
This tool maps future coastal flood exposure from sea-level rise, helping residents and planners visualize long-term risk.
Surging Seas Risk Finder
| Climate Central | Climate Central | Accessed June 30, 2026
Surging Seas provides local sea-level and flood risk information for communities, infrastructure, and planning.
NASA Sea Level Change Portal
| NASA | NASA Sea Level Change Team | Accessed June 30, 2026
NASA provides satellite-based sea-level data, maps, projections, and explanations for global and regional sea-level change.
NASA Oceans Melting Greenland
| NASA | NASA Sea Level Change Team | Accessed June 30, 2026
NASA’s Greenland research helps scientists understand how ice melt contributes to sea-level rise affecting coastal communities worldwide.
Global Sea Level Observing System
| UNESCO IOC | GLOSS | Accessed June 30, 2026
GLOSS coordinates global tide gauge observations used for sea-level research, tsunami warning, and coastal monitoring.
UN Decade of Ocean Science
| UNESCO IOC | Ocean Decade | Accessed June 30, 2026
The Ocean Decade supports global science partnerships to improve ocean monitoring, ecosystem protection, and coastal resilience.
Ocean and Climate Change Dialogue 2026
| UNFCCC | United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change | May 22, 2026
The 2026 Ocean and Climate Change Dialogue focuses on ocean-climate action, resilience, ecosystem protection, and science-based policy.
Marine Ecosystem Restoration and Climate Action
| UNFCCC | United Nations | December 23, 2025
This contribution describes how restoring mangroves, wetlands, seagrasses, and coral habitats can strengthen natural defenses against flooding and erosion.
High Seas Treaty
| United Nations | United Nations | Accessed June 30, 2026
The High Seas Treaty creates a framework for protecting marine biodiversity beyond national jurisdictions, including future high seas marine protected areas.
Ocean Conservation Efforts Rebuilding Marine Life
| Coral Vita | Coral Vita | June 8, 2026
This overview highlights coral restoration, marine protected areas, sustainable fisheries, wetlands restoration, and pollution reduction as practical ocean recovery strategies.
